Alexa's prayers

Marsha Nichols ate after feeding her daughter, Alexa, during a break between individual and group therapy in July at Memorial Hermann-The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston. Marsha was constantly at Alexa’s side during her three months there. Her vigil began in April after her daughter’s
swimming accident and continues to this day.

Craig Nichols and his daughter, Alexa Nichols, learned that Alexa was elected homecoming queen at Wall High School during the Oct. 6 game against San Saba. Earlier that day, Alexa spoke at the pep rally and said she was more nervous about speaking than about being part of the homecoming court. Alexa, 17, was partially paralyzed in a diving accident in April and is trying to regain a range of motion.

After a swimming accident left 17-year-old Alexa Nichols paralyzed, determination and community support have helped her make progress — a little bit at a time.

In the months since her accident, Alexa has taken many such "little steps." She has learned to cope with blood pressure problems, infections, anemia, body temperature swings and a number of other problems that most teenagers never consider.

She's also learning how to live a regular life again.

"I was kind of dreading school," she said. "I was looking forward to seeing everyone, but I was also nervous."

She worried something might go wrong. If so, what would she do?

"But I was more excited to be home, to see everybody and to get back to a normal routine."

The first day at school felt awkward, she said.

"I was the only one there in a wheelchair."

It has since worked out fine, though.

"I have a great school," she added.

Alexa attends Wall High School four hours a day, using an electric wheelchair and a voice-activated laptop computer. She plans to graduate with her class in the spring.

She received a special surprise in October when the school elected her homecoming queen.

The day of the homecoming game, she was asked to speak at the school's pep rally.

"Winners don't quit," she told them. "It might be hard, it might be tough, you might get discouraged. But don't quit. If you give it all you've got to the final whistle, you're a winner, regardless of the score."

Craig said he believes his daughter can do whatever she wants in her life.

"She has got that kind of strength and drive."

She has help, too.

"I can't even begin to thank people enough for all they've done," she said.

In addition to medical professionals, people from all walks of life have aided the family.

Friends, neighbors and strangers have come together to help them in many ways. They cut the family's lawn while they were away in Houston. They brought dinner to the family every evening for months. They helped refit the Nichols' Southland home for Alexa's special equipment. They helped pay her medical expenses.

In churches and on their front lawns, all across town they prayed for Alexa. Many of the pink-and-green lawn signs sold to benefit her are still visible in the residential yards of San Angelo.

Craig said the prayers "have gotten us through."

"When times were tough and we got really down, I was encouraged by people from wherever who called to say, ‘We're thinking about you, we're praying for you, we're thinking about Alexa,' " he said.

"That was encouraging. We felt that power of prayer. And we're seeing some of the results."

Alexa's recovery is far from over.

She faces more physical therapy this spring. She's looking ahead to next fall, when she plans to begin college.

She said her experiences in the Houston rehabilitation center gave her a different perspective.

Many of the young people she talked to at the center had injuries more serious than her own.

"People would say, ‘This happened to me. This is how I got here.'

"I would tell them I was having trouble, and they would say, ‘Well, you know, it's bad. But it gets better.' "

How to help

Who: Alexa Nichols. The 17-year-old San Angeloan is a senior at Wall High School.

She has been involved in a number of activities, including: school costumed mascot, University Interscholastic League science and informative speaking, debate team, math and science club, baseball team manager, Right Choices for Youth, student council, National Honor Society, Future Teachers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish club, garden club, and the Family Career and Community Leaders of America. Also, she is a Girl Scout who has earned the Gold Award and is a member of the youth group at Glen Meadows Baptist Church.

What: Alexa was partially paralyzed April 6 after a diving accident. She recently finished her first round of therapy at a rehabilitation center in Houston.